Chapter Text
The North is one of the strongest places on the island. There has magic, warriors, hybrids, demons, and of course, "humans." Their hierarchies were visible for everyone to see.
The leader—or rather, the King—was a dominant Omega. Vegetta always pampered everyone, and everyone in the North was his "cub." His husband, Foolish, was an Alpha, a God; he was in charge of watching over and protecting them.
And then there was the second-in-command, Juan, a boy with round glasses who, although human, had his tricks. His ancestor was a powerful God who managed the multiverse, granting each version of himself a bit of magic for protection.
But he had a secret: Vegetta had asked him to hide his Omega hierarchy for protection. So, in the eyes of others, he was a Beta—very calm, nothing special. Everyone in the North protected and cared for one another; above all, they were a family. A family that perhaps kept things from each other, since the only ones who knew Juan’s true hierarchy were the husbands. For everyone else, it was a simple mystery how a Beta had reached such a high position.
(...)
"Second-in-command, my boy!" Vegetta wrapped his arm around Juan’s shoulders while the boy looked at his new badge with tear-filled eyes. His heart beat so hard he felt it might jump out of his chest. "I am very proud!"
"Vegetta... thank you, thank you. I won't let you down," Juan hugged him, surprising the purple-clad Omega, who simply reciprocated by patting his head gently. Behind them stood Aldo, the new Generalissimo of War—upright, with a serious expression.
"So, second-in-command," both boys had known each other since Juan arrived at the house at 15; after 2 years of training by Vegetta and now at 24, everything was different. "That title is a bit stupid."
"Hey... I worked hard to get here." Aldo let out a laugh, and Juan saw the sharp fangs peeking out of his mouth. An Alpha, a dominant one. A monkey tail flicked behind Aldo. "Fine, if it seems so stupid to you, go get some sandstone. Now."
"Ooh, boys, calm down." Vegetta pulled away from Juan and hugged both boys, dousing them in his scent of blackberries. Juan smiled a bit awkwardly and Aldo finally relaxed. "Everyone is very important here, but I do need more sandstone. Ah! And the Regime wants to talk to us, Juan, so let's take advantage of BBQ Monday." Juan let out a "Yes, my lord." "Organize everything, please."
"As you wish." Juan turned around and walked away from his office. Aldo just sighed, watching the Beta’s figure; something didn't seem quite right to him.
"I don't want those Alphas hanging around this house, Vegetta." The King tilted his head, confused. Aldo took a heavy breath. "And what if they do something to the girls? To Roier? To Juan...?" Vegetta smiled and simply squeezed his shoulder gently.
"Don't worry. Here we help and protect each other. Also, remember that Tubbo is an Omega and Haiper is a Beta. With you, Molly, and Spider, everything will be fine." Aldo nodded, not entirely convinced, but he swallowed hard. He had to be strong.
As always, he was the strongest cub in the pack, in the nest, along with Spider. Therefore, he had to protect his own, even if it cost him his life.
He had to protect Juan.
Juan, for his part, got to work. He decorated the terrace with care. Tina was helping him, and Foolish helped him carry the heaviest chairs and tables. Spider practiced with his sword while watching them decorate; the other boys were on adventures with the Poles, so he couldn't demand they come help.
"Alright, everything looks spectacular." Foolish smiled, exhausted, as he finished tidying everything up. Juan checked his watch and excused himself, at which Foolish looked at him with caution. "I'll be right back."
"Juan, I'm coming with you." The totem walked behind him, watching him reach Vegetta's room and take out a syringe and medication. "That’s harmful, Juan. You..." Juan silenced him with a hand gesture as he lifted his shirt to inject the suppressor—the strongest of them all. Foolish made a face of disgust and pain. "You're stupid. You're going to die young if you keep this up."
"The guys from the Regime are coming, Foolish. Ash, who by the way hates us because of you—" the totem smiled sheepishly "—Ash is a dominant Alpha. I can't risk them catching my scent." Foolish nodded, not very convinced; he was worried about the young man. Juan adjusted his shirt and took a breath so heavy it startled him. "Besides, what are we worrying about, Foolish? I'm not an Omega destined to be with anyone. I'm just... meant to take care of everyone. So cheer up, you idiot. Life goes on. Let's go."
"Fine..." Both went out. Vegetta watched them out of the corner of his eye and nodded, to which Juan responded with the same. Evening fell. Juan stayed on the terrace finishing everything for the next day, humming a song. Senpai sat in a chair watching over him in silence, seeing if the "Beta" needed his help.
"Senpai, go eat. I'll stay with Juan." The younger one wasn't very sure, as he felt a great connection with Juan, but seeing the Beta look at him through his glasses, he decided to leave, trusting Aldo. "You should go eat too, Juanito."
"Oh, so now I'm Juanito?" Aldo let out a laugh, adjusting his glasses while watching the sunset. "Just like old times..."
"It surprises me that you're still so small, Juan, but you've grown so much as a person." Juan's cheeks turned a soft red, and the boy with glasses turned his face away. "We used to sneak out here to eat chips until our stomachs hurt." Juan let out a giggle, remembering the scoldings from a young Vegetta who was fed up with them. "And now you're in charge."
"I'm not in charge. I'm just the right hand." Aldo saw Juan's smile flicker and quickly rushed to give him a friendly shove.
"Someday you'll be able to lead, even if you're a silly Beta." Juan laughed, grabbed a cardboard tube, and hit the boy in the military suit. Aldo let out an "ouch" and laughed, grabbing another one to hit him back.
"Jerk." "Idiot."
"You're the coolest guy I've ever seen, Aldo, even if you are an idiot." Aldo’s face flushed, and he tried to hide it with his hat. "Anddd... he's blushing."
"I hate you." Juan let out a loud laugh while they both entered the house. Juan stood in front of the family photo; he looked so small. His companions looked large, like the princes they were, imposing—and he just looked normal. He saw the frame was crooked and moved it with his magic, which only allowed him to organize or levitate things. "Look, we looked so tiny."
"That was three years ago." Aldo let out a laugh and messed up the frame again. "Leave it alone. You know I can't use magic much."
"Yep! Very true, papu. We have to work on that magic." Juan shook his head quickly. He knew the price of using it too much: it would weaken his ancestor, who had split into many parts to give magic to all his versions—or so said the book Vegetta read to him. "Well, I'm going to sleep. We have visitors tomorrow."
"It's a bit early... alright. Rest, Aldo." The boy in the military uniform walked gracefully toward his room. Juan felt Aldo's scent floating near him. Wood. He smelled like wood.
Juan simply touched his neck, which every day reminded him of his sad fate—or his dirty secret.